KSBY

Posted: Mar 2, 2010 8:32 AM
Updated: Mar 2, 2010 8:48 AM

Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer related deaths in Santa Barbara County and the second leading in the United States, according to the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara.

In response to these startling statistics, and in honor of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the center is offering free colon cancer screenings.

It also said more than 60 percent of Americans over the age of 50 have never been screened for colon cancer.

A healthcare provider will be available at each location to hand out information about colon cancer screenings as well as free take-home FIT (Fecal Immunochemical Test) kits to those age 50 and over.

The FIT test can be done at home and once completed, individuals must return FIT's in the provided envelope to the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara.

Results will be given within two weeks of mailing in the test. Cancer Center staff will then inform individuals of their test results.

Anyone over the age of 50 is encouraged to get screened.

Screening Dates and Locations:

Sunday, March 14th, 8:00 - 11:00a.m.
St. Joseph's Church, 1532 Linden Avenue, Carpinteria

Sunday, March 21st, 10:30a.m. - 2:00p.m.
St. Rafael Church, 5444 Hollister Avenue, Goleta

Saturday, March 27th, 1:00 - 4:00p.m.
SBNC - Eastside Neighborhood Clinic, Eastside Health Promotion Center
915 North Milpas Street, 2nd Floor, Santa Barbara